Capillary array-based sample screening

• US 20030083575A1
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Diversa Corporation (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: Diversa Corporation (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Lafferty, William Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/237,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083575A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/431
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00351 Means for dispensing and evacuation of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00367 capillary
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00416 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00479 Means for mixing reactants or products in the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00481 by the use of moving stirrers within the reaction vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00522 in a multiple parallel arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00585 Parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00596 Solid-phase processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00605 the compounds being directly bound or immobilised to solid supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0061 The surface being organic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00612 the surface being inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00619 using hydrophilic or hydrophobic regions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00621 by physical means, e.g. trenches, raised areas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00626 Covalent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0063 Other, e.g. van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00637 by coating it with another layer
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00659 Two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00677 Ex-situ synthesis followed by deposition on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00686 Automatic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00689 : using computers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00702 : Processes involving means for analysing and characterising the products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00722 : Nucleotides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0074 : Biological products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00743 : Cells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50857 : using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1037 : Screening libraries presented on the surface of microorganisms, e.g. phage display, E. coli display
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1055 : Protein x Protein interaction, e.g. two hybrid selection
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6811 : Selection methods for production or design of target specific oligonucleotides or binding molecules
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 : using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/02 : Libraries contained in or displayed by microorganisms, e.g. bacteria or animal cells; Libraries contained in or displayed by vectors, e.g. plasmids; Libraries containing only microorganisms or vectors
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/06 : Libraries containing nucleotides or polynucleotides, or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 : for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 : Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence

Abstract

A sample screening platform, system and method for screening and recovery of detectable samples. The platform includes a capillary array including a plurality of capillaries. Each capillary includes at least one wall defining a lumen for retaining the detectable sample. The detectable sample is introduced to and retained in the lumen by capillary forces. In a method of incubating the sample, a second liquid is introduced into the capillary containing the sample. A detection and recovery system includes an optical system for detecting the sample, and a recovery mechanism adapted to contact a capillary containing the sample. The recovery mechanism is further adapted to recover the sample from the capillary, and expel the recovered sample for analysis.

Claims

1. A method of recovering a sample from one of a plurality of capillaries in a capillary array, comprising:

determining a coordinate position of a recovery tool;

detecting a coordinate location of a capillary containing the sample;

correlating, via relative movement between the recovery tool and the capillary containing the sample, the coordinate position of the recovery tool with the coordinate location of the capillary; and

providing contact between the capillary and the recovery tool.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing, with the recovery tool, the sample from the capillary containing the sample.

3. A recovery apparatus for a sample screening system, wherein the system includes a plurality of capillaries formed into an array, the apparatus comprising:

a recovery tool adapted to contact at least one capillary of the capillary array and recover a sample therefrom;

an ejector, connected with the recovery tool, for ejecting the recovered sample from the recovery tool.

4. The recovery apparatus of claim 3, wherein the recovery tool includes a needle connected with a collection container.

5. The recovery apparatus of claim 3, wherein the recovery tool includes an aspirator for recovering the sample.

6. The recovery apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ejector includes a jet mechanism adapted to expel the recovered sample.

7. The recovery apparatus of claim 6, wherein the jet mechanism is operable by thermal energy applied thereto.

8. The recovery apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a heating element connected to the jet mechanism.